It is 7 pm in Mumbai and winter season has prompted many Mumbaite to visit a bar and gulp few pegs down their throats for some comfort. Santino?s Bar & Restaurant at Hill Road, Bandra, is always crowded. The owner, Mr. Alvarez, claims he goes to Mount Mary church for the morning mass everyday since many years. But, that is not the reason for the roaring business today – hmmm ?.could be prosperity?! Today, the four old, now renowned city businessmen have come to his bar after a long time and that?s a reason enough to celebrate. They are seated at their favorite table, near the glass window that gives a clear view of the outside world.
After their last bitter fight, Xavier Serrao, the ring leader among the four, swore never to visit again. So did his close friends who had echoed in unison – ?What the heck, Alvarez, we are your regular customers and you forced us to leave early. You can be sure we will never come back to this place ever again.? And, today all of a sudden the gang is here. The royal challenge guys!!
?I need to stock in huge quantities now, right here?, thought Alvarez as he wiped his eyes. Unbelievable! Age is catching up with these guys. It is said, people in their sixties and seventies mellow down, sober down. They know in their sub-conscious minds, that the time has come for their departure from this world! But, many Mangalorean brethren address Xavier as aka Saverab, meaning elder brother, is too much of a fiery person to sober down. His angry young man image of Amitabh, has made him get into constant fights with many people, which has not helped him to mellow his image either.
?He He He…? laughing to himself at this turn of events, Alvarez approached their table. ?Amigos! Welcome, welcome! After long seven years you have visited my place, Thank you sirs! I am at your service,? deliberately he acted dramatic and gestured like the Air India maharaja mascot and bowed in front of them! ?Abey, chup kar, nautanki, sit here. We did not opt to come, so what if you are a big millionaire now, what difference does it make, guys like you are too many in Mumbai, who forget their roots?? Yeshwant Rai was going on and on.
?Wait??.disrupted Xavier, ?How is your son, Malcom? I heard he is in Canada. My son told me that they both met at Heathrow Airport.? Xavier sounded a bit weepish. Everyone knew that his son had deserted him however; he was finding it difficult to give a diplomatic answer. Added to that, Alvarez?s brains also failed him at times. He said thoughtfully, ?Chod do, Xavier Saab, children once they are old enough to stand on their feet, they fly away from you, they develop wings and even Malcom has forgotten us. His sister keeps in touch, but this brat is a ullu ka patta?ooops?? Xavier bit his tongue. He had unconsciously admitted that he was an ?ullu.? ?I also don?t know how to lie. Just yesterday Malcom had called and I spoke to his wife ? Dorothy, and children, but…?
In hospitality business, one should be sympathetic to customer?s woes, and should act as if their problems are common problems and he too suffered from it! ?Well, Alvarez, You are opening one new joint in Juhu I heard? the harsh voice of Xavier hit his ears. God knows, this Xavier is always after money. All his life he was busy amassing wealth and even in church, he will never part away with 50 paisa. The priests have enough money, we are poor, the kadoos used to roar!!?
?We want to run a restaurant, is there a suitable place anywhere from Vile Parle to Bandra?? the person next to Xavier asked. He was Pundalik Kudwa, the richest among them all. He has two manufacturing industry chemical factories – one of them is a paint manufacturing company. He has two sons, one doctor and another CA; both are in USA. ?We just want to run a hotel, as we find it difficult to while away our time. We need some bahana to spend our remaining days in this world? the fourth one said. Abraham D? Costa, the genius budda among them, who always spoke with sense, but after a few drinks down the throat would fight tooth and fight with Xavier. Their quarrels could be telecasted on MTV Fully Faltoo?..All maa, bens? very expletive in Hindi could be heard.
?Okay. I got it? thus mumbling reluctantly Alvarez sat next to Yeshwant who was sitting next to Abraham. ?But, the place is closed since long – the old Samudra Mahal at Juhu. There is also Jazz Bar and Restaurant at Pali Hill, which was closed down after Dhananjay Shetty was murdered by bhai giri people.?
?We want a hotel not for us, but for our client, you are not aware, we are into real estate also. We brokerage plots and business premises, you fool? chided Xavier in his harsh, uncharacteristic way. Very sarcastic budda, thought Alvarez. ?Ok, Ok, saab log, now I understood, give me two days and I will get back to you.? All of them laughed loudly. The guests surrounding their tables all gave them hasty glances.
Waiter was at their table. ?All repeat? gestured Abraham. ?Xavier used to gulp down very fast earlier, now after his hospitalization for a month, he has become chuhaa.? Venom started pouring from him as he started becoming tipsy. Yeshwant gestured through his hand to calm him down. ?Chup re. You ex- taxi driver, even now you have same kachra habits? harsh voice of Xavier retorted. ?Sheesha ho ya dil ho, aakir toot jata hai? the song emanated from Kudwa?s mobile. Every one laughed a loud. Kudwa went out to answer his mobile. Now, Xavier was looking at Abraham with seething anger. He didn?t want a confrontation now in front of Alvarez. Next time, he will teach him a lesson, he is the man with top connections. Every one knew Xavier has high connections. I told Kudwa and Yeshwant that this pest Abraham is not good to be in their group. Even though he is seventy one, he still acts like a small kid. At the slightest opportunity, its better to kick him away, but no one listens to me. Well, Xavier was in a mood to leave, Abraham and Yeshwant stayed back. ?Let?s get together tomorrow? whispered Xavier while leaving. Alvarez opened the door for him smilingly.
To be continued…..
Author: Donald DSilva- Mumbai